Erik Stanford’s comment posted 5/9/14:
For the Roosevelt community, having a unified voice against an up-zone like this was only natural, and when former Mayor Mike McGinn all but assured them with his political clout with DPD that 125’ structures would never loom over the Roosevelt neighborhood, that set a precedent. I am a SE Seattle native. Although proud to be a part of one the nation’s most diverse community, I am equally frustrated that the same diversity that makes us who we are, also divides us whenever it comes to our having a unified voice on important decisions like this, and that this fragmentation has become an open invitation for city leaders to steamroll us with sweeping unsustainable plans that no other community with a voice would allow, especially without meaningful outreach and engagement with all of its residents. Instead of building consensus through outreach, the city works to divide the community in order to gain advantage for their agenda. The city has a long-established pattern of deciding an outcome in advance, then seeking support after they make decisions. Over period of years, the city has held 52 meetings on this, and yet you would be hard-pressed to find anyone who has heard about this Mount Baker up-zone proposal, except within the past few weeks.
I don’t fundamentally oppose the idea adding more density and making improvements in public safety, walkability, etc. but I do oppose this up-zone plan as it is proposed, because it does not include an acceptable level of community involvement, and because it is missing the most important piece of the plan: How to insure that large companies and institutions make long-term investments in the community and bring the good jobs to support a healthy, sustainable economy. The Field of Dreams “Build it and they will come” has failed repeatedly in Rainier Valley, and needs to stop. DPD’s Lyle Bicknell himself recently said that “The city can set the table, that is really our job. We can’t necessarily guarantee the guests will come.” That is just backwards, who sets the table without first inviting the guests, and the right mix of guests at that? A plan of this scale with historical zoning changes that will forever impact our community, must include the Office of Economic Development and a partnership with future long-term anchor businesses, and not just developers, non-profit agencies and various other entities seeking their next financial opportunity. The plan must attract significant businesses and jobs, and include incentives and safeguards to insure that they come and stay with long-term commitments to the community.
The city has always acknowledged the unique challenges our diverse community faces, but they have only looked to other cities for engineered solutions, solutions that don’t fit our unique situation. We need to look closer at what has worked in nearby communities and take inspiration from them, such as South Lake Union and University Village, where anchor tenants were first committed, before planning was initiated. We need a plan that makes this site a destination that attracts business and customers, with plenty of parking to accommodate them. Adding more housing can still be worked into the plan, but not as the primary goal. Let’s line the hillsides that adjoin residential neighborhoods with more dense housing, and reserve the valley floor for the jobs, retail, commercial development, and parking that the community needs in order to thrive.
Neighborhood: Rainier Valley; Beacon Hill, Mount Baker, Columbia City, Lakewood, Seward Park, Hillman City, Rainier Beach

Comment from Christine Dickerson, Lakewood/Seward Park, 5/9/14
I am a third generation Valley Resident. Rainier Valley should not be disrespected any longer. We do not want to look like overbuilt Ballard, become a low income housing zone, lose our diversity, character, views, or have our future determined by city hall and developers. 125 feet is far too tall and will adversely effect adjoining neighborhoods. Changing traffic patterns will hurt existing businesses, and redirect traffic to inappropriate routes such as Lake Washington Blvd, which is already suffering under increased commuter traffic.the city has disregarded negative voting on urban villages and is trying to impose unwanted development through the back door. It is time we got a break! We are a unique and loyal community, and should be celebrated, not abused

Comment from Cynthia, Genesee, 5/9/14
Do not allow buildings that will only overcrowd the neighborhood and bring potentially more crime into neighborhood which the Police are not prepared to handle. This area thrived many years back without the need of apartment high rises. Let’s get back to our roots when people were proud of their neighborhoods and they took care of them.

James Wong, Hillman City, 5/9/14
12 story multi use buildings in the Rainier Valley area is not fit for our community. Already the traffic congestion is at it’s peak. Adding a 12 story multiple condo/ apartment and business buildings would be a traffic mess. To add to the congestion and detriment to business, would be the limited parking. There would be nowhere to park and the people looking for a parking space, would be gridlock.
I don’t know the politics on this proposed project, but I doubt even Chris Christie would approve this.